Hats off to members of the Class of 2018 who graduated this past weekend. The graduates participated in a weekend chockful of events – the Graduate Program Blessing and Recognition Ceremony on Thursday evening, Senior Pinning and Presentation of Student Awards on Friday and Commencement on Saturday. For the first time, the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree was conferred on four graduates, 50 received a Master of Science, and 213 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees were awarded. Witnessed by family, friends, faculty, staff and the MCCN Board of Trustees, the events served as a milestone for accomplishments well-earned by the now MCCN alumni.
Ann Marie T. Brooks, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, FACHE, FNAP, interim president, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Brooks asked graduates to consider the strengths they bring to nursing and to healthcare. She said those earning the bachelor’s degree are knowledge workers, now equipped to make each patient experience the best possible, and dedicated to advocating, influencing and providing competent, compassionate care. Those earning a master’s degree are knowledge managers, equipped to serve as coaches, role models and mentors as they apply their learning to continuously improve processes and outcomes for patients. And, those earning the doctorate are knowledge leaders, prepared to serve as movers and shakers within their organizations, demonstrating how evidence-based decision making and practice is the anchor for achieving and exceeding goals, outstanding patient outcomes, staff engagement and building a culture of safety for everyone.
